When I die, be it in 10 minutes or 10 or 25 years, I’d like to go out with dignity. I know what you’re thinking – “Oh, come on – you’ve never given a damn about being dignified about anything…but now, with death – you want to go out with dignity?!”
Yes, I do, as a matter of fact – if it comes to that. If I’m a terminally ill patient and I want to end it all, I’d like to have the opportunity to do just that.
And, in Maryland, it seems like I might actually get the chance.
Recently cross filed in the Senate (SB 0676) and in the House of Delegates (HB 1021) is a Bill entitled the Richard E. Israel and Roger “Pip” Moyer Death With Dignity Act This Bill, should it become law as written, authorizes a qualified patient to request aid in dying by making specified requests.
Yes, folks, we’re talking euthanasia, here – a legal rendition of Dr. Jack Kevorkian and what not. And, it’s about time.
And, it’s not just me who is in favor of “Death with Dignity.” So are a majority of those in the medical profession. In fact, in a survey of over 21,000 doctors put out by Medscape in December of last year, 54% of the poll’s respondents now favor “death with dignity.”
We are born onto this earth with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But, what if our respective lives are no longer worth living as a result of a medical condition that leaves us in constant agony or terminally ill? Where is the liberty in THAT? So, yeah, I believe that with our right to life, we – each and every one of us – is also given the right to die…peacefully and with dignity. In fact, I’ve ALWAYS believed that each of us have the right to take ourselves out for whatever reason, whenever we choose to do so. At least suicide is no longer illegal in Maryland, or anywhere in the country, for that matter.
But, this piece is especially about “Death with Dignity,” assisted suicide.
(A little dignity, please…)
What’s sad to say, however, is that this bill – a bill designed to remove power from the state (which seemingly really DOES believe it controls us from the cradle to the grave) and give it to terminally ill individuals and their respective doctors – was sponsored in both the Maryland State Senate and the House of Delegates by Democrats: Senator Ron Young of Frederick and Delegate Shane Pendergrass of Howard County.
And this, an issue in which it was ripe for MDGOP to begin proving that they stand for smaller, less intrusive, government, has been co-opted by the State Democrats. All I can do, sometimes, is shake my head, as this issue represents the ultimate pro-freedom versus pro-tyranny choice – the right of a terminally ill individual to decide for him or herself when they are DONE.
I’ve been arguing in favor of such laws for the majority of my adult life. And, therefore, I’ve heard EVERY counter argument, like, a million times. So, please don’t throw any pro-life/anti-abortion stuff or “unintended consequences” type crap at me.
Government should have as few things to do with our lives and deaths as possible, especially when it comes to things such as insisting we “can’t die” until it’s our time. All I’m saying is it’s time to give terminally ill patients the right to decide when it’s time for he/she/them to die.
This bill is such a no-brainer. The Legislature should pass the bill and Governor Hogan should sign it into law. And, if you stand in strident, self-righteous opposition to “Death with Dignity,” I wish for you to have…no, strike that.
I wouldn’t wish a death like that on anybody.